Ideas
Is There Still a Deal to Be Done With Iran?
Below the surface, there are faint signs of how both parties can exit the crisis.
Ideas
Worse Than Obama’s Red-Line Moment
Trump has now shown himself just as willing as President Obama to make empty threats that damage American credibility.
Policy
On Iran, It’s Trump Vs. Trump
The president’s 2020 reelection campaign looms large over the decision whether to retaliate for a downed drone.
Science & Tech
How the Pentagon Nickel-and-Dimed Its Way Into Losing a Drone
The lion’s share of the U.S. drone fleet is easy prey for advanced air defenses. It didn’t have to be that way.
Ideas
Trump Might Not Want War, but the Military Is Steering His Iran Policy
The buildup in the Middle East is coming at the request of the forces responsible for the region.
Ideas
Bolton Keeps Trying to Goad Iran Into War
For more than a decade, he’s consistently promoted war with Iran. All that has changed are the pretexts he’s offering to justify one.
Ideas
How to Step Back from the Brink with Iran
Right now, everything both sides do to strengthen their defenses looks to the other side like preparation for attack.
Ideas
Iran Has Options and It’s Starting to Use Them
Washington’s “maximum pressure” campaign has not forced Tehran to yield—in fact, it’s done the opposite.
Ideas
Deterrence Is Failing — Partly Because Iran Has No Idea What the US Really Wants
Successful deterrence requires clear delineation of acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. That needs to start, pronto.
Threats
US Blames Tanker Attacks On Iran; CENTCOM Releases Surveillance Video
Military officials say imagery shows Iranians in boats at the tankers, handling a mine and trying to capture crew members.
Threats
How to Navigate the Fog of War on Iran
The question of how to read U.S. intelligence on Iranian threats—and how to respond to them—is at the center of a debate over military escalation.
Threats
Top US Officer: Iran’s Threats Look Like a ‘Campaign’
The Joint Chiefs chairman says he saw ‘multiple threat streams that were all, perhaps coming together, in time.”
Policy
US To Send 900 Troops To Middle East To Counter Iran
The Trump administration insists that the deployment is purely defensive.
Threats
Iran Briefings Leave Congress Divided Over Trump’s Intentions, War Powers
“Everybody is deeply concerned about Congress getting cut out,” said one Democrat after hearing from Pompeo, Dunford, and Shanahan.
Ideas
How Is Iran Worse Than Saudi Arabia?
A rational foreign policy would view Tehran as a normal regional power jockeying with equally sharp-elbowed foes. 2020 Democrats can lead the way.
Ideas
Take It From an Iraq War Supporter—War With Iran Would Be a Disaster
It would mean repeating a mistake, only on a much bigger scale: without allies, without justification, and without any plan at all.
Ideas
Who Wins When US-Iran Tensions Rise? China
The Sino-Iranian relationship advances Chinese interests — and particularly when Washington tries to turn the screws on Tehran.
Ideas
Trump’s Counter-Iran Moves Are Provocative, But They’re Not War
Truly bad messaging is undermining trust among allies and the American public — and increasing the chance of accidental escalation.
Threats
A Bewildering Briefing on the Iranian Threat Leaves More Questions Than Answers
A deputy commander of the counter-ISIS coalition appeared to rebut White House claims about Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.
Ideas
Trump’s ‘Maximum Pressure’ Won’t Make Iran Yield
The one thing Tehran would find more intolerable than the crushing impact of sanctions is raising the white flag because of them.
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